Boys show grit and determination

Students and staff from Muntham House School in Barns Green participated in this year’s Extreme Classroom challenge in Wales.

Now in its sixth year the challenge was an opportunity for four Muntham House students and two members of staff to test their metal in Wales recently.

Run by The Engage in their Future group the Extreme Classrooms provides adventures for young students affected by SEMH issues to develop new life skills, build resilience, confidence, strength of character and trust, enabling them to face life’s challenges with self-belief, humility and pride.

With over 400 million viewers worldwide from previous Extreme Classroom events, this latest adventure ‘The Darkest Classroom’ came with some unexpected challenges.

Leaving Horsham at 6am Wednesday morning, Mr Lewis, Mrs Woods, Connor year 5, Callum year 5, Frankie year 8 and Junayd year 7 arrived in a snow-covered Wales at lunchtime where they immediately pitched their tents before embarking on the first of the challenges; Lord Hereford’s Knob, a 2,260 foot climb in minus temperatures.

All involved described a difficult, cold and challenging climb that lead to feelings of elation and pride once at the top. Mrs Woods Learning support assistant remarked: “I can’t believe we did it. The boys showed such grit and determination.”

The group slept in snow-covered tents before embarking on a caving and potholing adventure on Thursday. Porth yr Ogof is a beautiful cave located near the village of Ystradfellte, near the southern boundary of the Brecon Beacons. “It was epic,” said Connor, “it’s been such a cool experience, I can’t believe I went into a cave full of water.”

Mr Lewis, who took part in last year’s fastest classroom said: “This is such a valuable learning experience for the pupils. This was another brilliant opportunity for the staff and the pupils and we are grateful to ’the engage in the future’ group for inviting us to take part.”